Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1887-02-17
WASHINGTON LETTER.
(From our regular correSpondent)
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 1881.

w ASHlNO lON. 4 tbs 10. 1901.
The sensation of the past week on
Capitol Hill was the Presidents veto of
one of the most reckless specimens of
legislation that was ever presented to
any Congress the Universal Pension
bill. Not that his action was a sur
prise to those who hdYP watched his
course in regard to pension matters,
for he has shown, on several occasions
already that he has the courage to do
his duty. But, as Representative
Springer said, no man ever filed the
office of President before Mr.. Cleveland,
who would have had the boldneSs to
veto such bill which had passed both
Houses of Congress by more than two
thirds majority, and which had 50 pow
erful a sentiment at the back of it.
Echoes of cOngratulation have been
coming back to the President from all
pats of the country, end he has heard
plenty of cenSure from the mere parti-
sans who have learned to regard the
war as their personal legacy. But he
Will have the praise, approYal.and graf
itude of the great mass OF the people of
all sections, the taX-pavlng ciYilian
and the honest veteran, of all all true
patriots both of the North and South.
The reading of the Presidents mes
sage explaining his reasons for the veto
commanded close attention from the
House Of Representatives,. Many Con-
greSSmen are now unable to say what
their future action Will be until they
have heard from their constituents. 1t
is thought, however, that the bill could
not be passed over the veto, for many
members who voted for it haye been
surprised since at the condemnation it
received from people among all parties.
Should this remarkable pension bill
become a law, it would give pension
to every eX-UniOn soldier who can not
earn the sort Of living he would llke-in
other words, to every man who was in
the Federal army and Is yet alive. it
would give pension to every drunkard
and shiftless loafer who was in the
army for ninety days, even if his disa-
bility is due solely TO his own vices. 1t
WOnld give premium to mendicancy
and incidence for nothing conyinces a
man that he is unable to work like
showing him that he can live without
it.
And then think of the millions after
millions of the peoples money that
such a bill would waste. 1t would
double the pension burden of tho Uni
ted States, making it 1856, 600. 600 a
year. It would make the roll call OF
pensioners larger than the Federal army
ever was and four times as large as the
whole standing army Of England.
The Republican members Of Congress
have made but little comment upon the
subject. The veto message seems to
have taken their breath. Rep. Stall
necker, of n. Y, thinks the message is
the abiest state paper of Mr. Cleveland's
term. Said he, SIT takes up the bill,
section by section, and just tears it to
tatters. In stating his reasons for the
veto, che has built fort around him
which it will be pretty difficult to
storm"
A western congressman, who was
speaking of the Presidents courage
said, "my admiration for him was new
er great until now. He has turned his
face against a sentiment he.ore which
all parties haye bowed, and if he is sIs-
tanned by Congress, this incident may
be the turning point of popular reac-
ton against the abuse of the whole pen
sion business"